Older storm slab below Comet peak. SSW aspect. Maybe from 3/9-11 storm?
Minimal roller balls (but its starting) on South aspects, mostly below rocks.
Observation: Portage / Placer
Location: Squirrel Flats
Seward highway to Spencer Bench Cabin via Squirrel flats. Overnight at SBC then rode Squirrel flats and back down the north route and back to highway.
Observer Comments
Weather
3/14-15 storm tapered off around 6p on 3/15. Vis improved significantly during the sunset hrs last night. Woke at the Cabin to dissipating valley clouds and clearing skies. Winds were calm and temp in the low 20's this morning. 28F at the highway at 5p but felt much warmer throughout the day in direct sun.
Snow surface
About 60 cm of settled storm snow from the last week (on top of the 3/9 surface). Appeared to be wind affected on some higher elevation peaks but for the most part it was consistent powder.
Snowpack
Dug 2 pits at 2200'. One on S aspect and one on North. HS = 300cm
Pit 1: 2200', SSW, 29 degree slope, ECTN down 35cm on stellars. 3/9 sun crust was ~55cm down. Couldn't get it to react in the pit. No buried surface hoar observed.
Pit #2: 2160', N, 24 degree slope, ECTX. No sun crust present. No buried surface hoar observed in upper 1 meter of snowpack.
Older storm slab on lookers left side, 2nd bench up.
Roller balls on south facing terrain above Comet Glacier.
Snowpit #1, SSW aspect. 3/9 sun crust is just below my shovel ~55cm down.
Looking across the Spencer Valley toward high peaks above the Spencer Glacer.
Thanks to long time @ChugachAvy partner AK Mining and Diving for a preview of the 2022 Ski Doo/ Lynx sleds!
Nick Olzenak getting pitted!